Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Online Reporter
A SIMIBISA Brands manager has been granted a protection order against her subordinate, she accused of persistent harassment, threats and violent behaviour that left her fearing for her safety and mental well-being.
Ms Melody Mawarura, who manages one of the company’s key branches in Harare, told Harare Civil Court Magistrate Ms Johanna Mukwesha that her subordinate, Russell Mashambadova, had subjected her to ongoing abuse both at work and outside the workplace.
“I am now living in fear and psychological distress. His conduct has gone beyond professional boundaries,” Ms Mawarura said.
“I feel unsafe both at work and even in the staffroom, in front of other employees and customers.”
Ms Mawarura accused Mashambadova of verbally abusing her and accusing her of theft. She said the harassment intensified after she issued him several disciplinary warnings for poor conduct and insubordination.
According to her testimony, Mashambadova responded to the warnings with aggressive behaviour, including physical threats, late-night messages containing death threats and repeated confrontations at work.
“He sends me threatening messages late at night and confronts me with death threats,” she said.
She cited an incident where Mashambadova followed her to the car park after working hours, blocked her vehicle and hurled obscenities at her, accusing her of sabotaging his career and attempting to have him fired.
Ms Mawarura denied harbouring any personal vendetta against her subordinate. She further alleged that Mashambadova publicly called her a witch, accusing her of using goblins to secure her managerial position.
Fearing for her safety, she reported the matter to the company’s human resources department.
However, she claimed the internal procedures were slow and ineffective, prompting her to seek legal recourse.
In response, Mashambadova denied the allegations, claiming he was being unfairly targeted for standing up against what he called abuse of authority and favouritism at the branch.
“She always uses her position to silence voices that challenge her oppressive style of leadership,” he said, suggesting that their conflict stemmed from a personal fallout that had long been simmering.
Magistrate Mukwesha granted a protection order against Mashambadova and warned him to desist from any form of harassment or violent conduct towards Ms Mawarura.
